Hi everyone! I have a 1989 Full size Jimmy that drives great around town. However, out on the freeway the steering seems to float. You have to adjust your steering back and forth as you drive down the freeway. I have been told it is the way it was built from the factory, and there is nothing you can do about it. The front end has all new components and is is good shape. Help anyone? Thanks.
CK5
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floating steeting at highway speeds
- Thread starter superdog
- Start date
Any cracks in the frame around the steering box?
4xcrazy
3/4 ton status
"all new components" as in gear gox included with this list?
I guess it is something you get used to, However I have never liked the way it steers, you really have to concentrate on the freeway. It is not like a newer vehicle with speed assist steering. I have a three inch lift on it, with 33's. But I remember it steering like this since I bought it years ago.
bp71k5
3/4 ton status
The steering boxand rag joint are two big culprits. You can try a xj shaft conversion or one of the borgeson ujoint shafts. That helped a ton on mine even though the steering box still has a lot of play.
4xcrazy
3/4 ton status
no,,,,,they didn't make them like that in '89 
4xcrazy
3/4 ton status
yes, i did with my '89,,, i replaced the gearbox, mainly because it started leaking real bad, AND i knew it was sloppy, and the rag-joint and it tightened up pretty decently.
not perfect, but then again, i replaced the gearbox with another used one, but it had significantly less mileage than my stock one had.
your alignment needs to be set properly too.
4xcrazy
3/4 ton status
what kind of mileage is on the truck now?
bp71k5
3/4 ton status
They didn't come that way in 89, but the same complaint does after years of use.
Turn the motor on and watch the pitman arm move as you turn the steering wheel. You can at least determine if it's rag joint or the box.
My steering wheel would turn quite a lot (several inches) before the pitman are would even start to move on three different boxes I had. Even the rebuilt one I now use had too much play and I had to adjust the input play a little in combination with a new steering shaft to get it to not wander so much. It's not bad now and I don't even run a stabilizer.
Turn the motor on and watch the pitman arm move as you turn the steering wheel. You can at least determine if it's rag joint or the box.
My steering wheel would turn quite a lot (several inches) before the pitman are would even start to move on three different boxes I had. Even the rebuilt one I now use had too much play and I had to adjust the input play a little in combination with a new steering shaft to get it to not wander so much. It's not bad now and I don't even run a stabilizer.
badmix
1/2 ton status
Check the frame, if no problem do the XJ shaft and check your drag link.
I replaced these two items and the tie rod ends and it tightened things up pretty nicely.
I replaced these two items and the tie rod ends and it tightened things up pretty nicely.
badmix
1/2 ton status
Means nothing, almost all of us run those.
I thought about running 2 to tighten up steering, it doesnt work that way, its for bumpsteer, not steering ingeneral, do the XJ shaft (cost ya 5 bux at junk yard and takes 10-20minutes) check your Drag link (get under truck, grab in middle and try to rotate it, if it does, its shot and do the same with tie rod ends. These are inexpensive fixes that will tighten up your steering, this is all providing you dont have a frame crack at your steering box. If you do, get it fixed with a welded in repair kit and if you dont have a crack and plan on keeping your rig for awhile, get the ORD steering brace, its cheap insurance and well worth it, its easy to install (drill one hole) and its not expensive.
I did the xj shaft, ORD box brace, not to mention crossover, and the truck handles like a new one. I would definitely do the box brace and xj shaft on my next k5 too. I'm looking for one to drive as a daily driver.
Good luck!!
Good luck!!
